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Lesser Poland (also "Little Poland", Polish: Małopolska, Latin: Polonia Minor) is one of the historical regions of Poland. It forms the southernmost part of the country. It should not be confused with Lesser Poland Voivodship, which is just a part of the historical region of Lesser Poland^[1]

Lesser Poland lies in the upper confluence of the Vistula river and covers a large upland, including the Holy Cross Mountains, Lesser Polish Upland, Sandomierz Valley, and Lublin Upland. It stretches from the Carpathians in the south to Pilica and Wieprz rivers to the north. It borders Mazovia and Land of Radom to the north, Silesia to the west and the border with Ukraine (Red Ruthenia) to the east. Historically, until World War II the region also included large parts of modern Ukraine (see Galicia).

Lesser Poland during the interwar period (II Republic), 1921- 17 September 1939

Lesser Poland - province of Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, during the period of its maximum expansion 1635

• Lesser Poland Province :

Lesser Poland Province (prowincja małopolska) which consisted of Lesser Poland proper, Podlachia, Red Ruthenia, Volhynia, Podolia, Ukraine, and the Czernihów Voivodeship; capital: Kraków

Administratively, the historical area is divided into the voivodeships of Lesser Poland, Subcarpathia, Świętokrzyskie, Lublin, the eastern parts of the neighbouring Upper Silesia, and southern parts of Masovia and Lodz.

The most notable cities of the region include:

• Kraków
• Lwów (today a part of Ukraine)

as well as:

• 9^th century – state of Vistulans, Lendians and other smaller Slavic tribes,
• end of 10^th century – inclussion to the Polans' state: provinces of Krakow and Sandomierz.
• around 1040 – Krakow becomes the capital of Poland.
• 1138 – Poland feudal fragmentation period begins – Duchy of Krakow and Sandomierz ("senioral part") becomes a seat of a senior prince.
• 1241 - First Mongol raid, led by Baidar and Kadan.
• 1259 - Second Mongol raid, led by Nogai Khan.
• 1287 - Third Mongol raid, led by Telubuga.
• 1320, 20^th Jan - coronation of Władysław I the Elbow-high in Krakow ends the fragmentation period - united Poland restored
• 15^th c. – Sejmik general in Nowy Korczyn.
• 1340 - annexation of Sanok Land and Lvov to Poland.
• 16^th c. – annexation of Ruthenia (up to Kiev), which goes under administration of Lesser Poland.
• 16-17^th c. – Lesser Poland the main centre of Polish culture.
• 1545 – Sejmik general of Ruthenian Voivodship in Sądowa Wisznia.
• 1795-1918 - Poland partition period: Galicia, Free City of Krakow.
• 1918 – returning to Poland after regaining the independence.
• II World War – General Government.
• currently: Lesser Poland Voivodship, Lublin Voivodship, Subcarpathian Voivodship, Świętokrzyskie Voivodship and parts of Silesian Voivodship, Mazovian Voivodship and Lodz Voivodship.

For more information on history, see History of Poland.

The historical capital of Lesser Poland - Krakow is regarded by many to be the cultural capital of Poland. In 1978, UNESCO placed Kraków on the list of World Heritage Sites. The wooden architecture (most notably, churches) of Lesser Poland are also on that list as well as the Wieliczka Salt Mine located on the outskirsts of Krakow. The following National Parks are located in Lesser Poland: